Wrist pain can affect many people across Memphis and the Mid-South, and it often varies in how it feels. Some describe it as pain that happens with certain movements, like gripping, while others experience it as achy, throbbing, sharp, burning, or unpredictable discomfort.
The description of the pain and your immediate and long term history can help you and your provider determine the cause of the pain. Common causes of wrist pain include:
- Overuse: Having to use your hand/wrist, repeatedly, without enough "down time" for your wrist to recover.
- Inflammation "out of the blue": No clear understanding of what caused it, or why it has developed. This may be linked with your medical history.
- Fall on an outstretched hand.
- An athletic activity which places extreme/ force or load on the wrist: Including cross-fit, yoga, push-ups, etc.
- Lifting mechanics / having to carry something heavier or longer than expected.
- A history of arthritis or injury: If you have injured or broken your wrist before, the old injury can "flare up" or become arthrtic later in life.
If you're experiencing wrist pain, it's helpful to think about any recent changes in your activities or any incidents that might have triggered the pain—especially if it's not getting better.
An off-the-shelf wrist brace to help rest your wrist is an inexpensive starting point.
You may also wish to consult with your Internist or Primary Care Physician to see if you are a candidate to take Over-the-Counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories for a period of time. If you have a history of hypertension, kidney disease, gastric conditions, you may wish to call your Primary Care Physician prior to taking OTC medicine. When taken with consistency, for a period of 1-2 weeks, OTC inflammatories may help.
Noting whether a certain movement is more painful, and where it hurts is also important.
If your wrist is swollen, icing may be another good starting point. A less intense version of icing includes moving your hand and wrist in a sink or bowl of cold/ice water.
Often, moist heat or warmth can also relieve pain and increase blood flow to the area. This can be acheived through application of a moist heat pack, or even during a warm bath/shower.
Sometimes, managing wrist pain on your own can be challenging. That's why OrthoSouth's Hand Center is here for patients in Memphis, Germantown, Bartlett, Southaven, Hernando, and the Mid-South. Our fellowship-trained hand and wrist surgeons, certified hand therapists, and dedicated staff specialize in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating all types of wrist problems—from minor discomfort to complex conditions that may require surgery.
Seeing a hand surgeon does NOT mean you are lining up for surgery. They can use their expertise to give you tools, guidance, and resources to help you manage your wrist pain without invasive measures.
A Hand Therapy Consultation may also help sort out the best ways to manage your wrist pain.
To learn more about our Hand Center or to schedule an appointment with one of our hand surgeons in the Greater Memphis Area, including locations in Germantown, Bartlett, Southaven, or Hernando, please click here, click here.
Laureen Coffelt, OTR/L, CHT is a certified hand therapist and Clinic Manager working at the OrthoSouth PT clinics in Memphis-Briarcrest and Southaven, MS.
